Let's Talk About Sex History: Impact of a Communication Curriculum on Medical Student Performance and Perceived Competency

Abstract

Local Mentor: Marygrace Elson, MD, MME APGO Advisor: Nancy Hueppchen, MD, MSc PURPOSE: Determine whether medical students (MS) who completed a sexual history communication curriculum performed better during a formal standardized patient based assessment (PBA) at the conclusion of the OB/GYN Clerkship than historical control MS, and assess MS perceptions about taking a sexual history. BACKGROUND: Communication is inadequately addressed in undergraduate medical education. Students often feel they are poorly trained in this area due to a lack of opportunities to practice taking sexual histories. Thus, a communication curriculum was implemented to address this gap, including formal small group practice sessions on taking a sexual history during the OB/GYN Clerkship. METHODS: Retrospective study comparing 3 specific PBA standardized patient rating questions and 5 questions regarding MS feedback. All (n=66) MS between January and June 2011 were queried at the conclusion of their OB/GYN Clerkship before implementation of the sexual history curriculum in July 2011 with responses compared to all subsequent (n=421) MS through June 2014. Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel was used to compare scores by Clerkship year and block with P<.05 significant. RESULTS: There was no change in MS PBA performance or MS perception regarding ability to take a sexual history immediately following implementation of the sexual history communication curriculum. However, in response to “what other instruction or experiences could the clerkship provide to help you gain competency…” the theme was more practical experience. DISCUSSION: Learners require different formats to promote and enhance learning, which may not have been measured with the outcomes chosen for this study.